Basketball hoop and backboard for a trampoline

ABSTRACT

A padded basketball hoop is flexibly mounted to a backboard or other rigid vertical surface via an energy or shock absorbing connection device disposed between the backboard and the vertical surface supporting the hoop. The hoop responds to upward and downward vertical displacement by transferring energy to the shock absorbing connector, wherein the absorbing connector then urges said hoop to a substantially horizontal orientation. The hoop is particularly useful connection with play on a trampoline or other instances where players are likely to connect the rim during upward.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to the provisional application having Ser. No. 60/609,882 entitled “Basketball Hoop and Backboard for a Trampoline”, filed on Sep. 13, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved basketball backboard assembly and method of mounting or use with a trampoline

Prior methods of mounting backboard assemblies allow vibration and flexure of the rim to a minimal extent. Thus, if such a rim is used on a trampoline or other rebounding surface, inattentive players can be injured by making contact with such a rim during the upward bounce, or engaging in extremely rough play, which is not advised.

Indeed there is a generally need for basketball hoop assemblies that absorb energy to avoid injury to players, yet are sufficiently rigid not to interfere with the interplay between a ball hitting or curling downward on the edge of the rim that players have come to expect from traditional substantially rigid basketball rims.

It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a backboard and rim assembly that mounts on a trampoline.

It is another object to provide for safer player contact with the rim during upward movement.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an energy-absorbing rim that does not adversely influence the play or interaction of the basketball with the hoop portion thereof in a significant manner.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In the present invention, the first object is achieved by padding the rim with a surrounding elastic member.

A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that two pairs of springs are deployed such that rim assembly can flex in the vertical direction absorbing energy, but is readily restored to the substantially horizontal orientation when the deflecting load is released.

The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration from above and to the side of the basketball backboard and rim assembly showing the front thereof.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the backboard and brace

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the rear portion of the backboard and brace with a post.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the rim and support structure to a front plate for attachment to the front of the backboard substantially corresponding with the exploded view in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 A is a cross-sectional elevation of the exploded views of FIGS. 3 and 4 taken orthogonal to the backboard surface and bisecting the connecting bolts.

FIG. 5 B is a cross-sectional elevation of the basketball backboard and rim assembly taken orthogonal to the backboard surface and bisecting the connecting bolts.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration taken looking upward at the assembly portion that connects the rim to the backboard from the front side of the backboard shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved Basketball Backboard for Trampoline, generally denominated 100 herein.

In another embodiment of the invention, best appreciated by reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the rim 123 is padded by layer of an elastic material 122. Such elastic member can readily be formed from a foam or elastic tube by first proving a length substantially corresponding to the circumference of the rim. The tube is then longitudinally split from the side to the center of the tube. On one side the slit of the mating components of a hook and loop type faster (commonly known by the trademark “VELCRO”), is bonded with the opposite mating member attached to the other side of the slit. After the padding and net are mounted on the rim, by inserting the rim through the slit and conforming the linear tube to the circular form the rim, the then connecting the opposing hook and loop faster each stitched into opposing sides of the slit tube.

In accordance with the present invention, rim assembly 120 is mounted to the backboard 110 on the upper end of pole 115 so that the backboard may be disposed within or at the edge of a trampoline (not shown), in which pole 115 would correspond with a safety enclosure-supporting pole of the trampoline. Convention style net 121 is downwardly suspended from rim 120 being connect to a foam or other elastic energy absorbing member 122 that cover and surrounds rim 123.

In one aspect of the invention, the hoop portion or rim 123 of the basketball rim assembly 120 responds to upward and downward vertical displacement by transferring energy to the shock absorbing connector generally denominated 125 to represent the L-shaped plate portion for attaching to rim 120 to backboard 110. L-shaped plate 125 is shown in significant detail in subsequent Figures, wherein it responds to the absorbing connector assembly it forms with other components such that the hoop or rim 120 is returned to substantially horizontal orientation. The inventive hoop is particularly useful connection with play on a trampoline or other instances where players are likely to connect the rim during upward movement, especially under conditions when the energy exceeds the capacity of elastic member 122, or elastic member 122 is omitted.

It should be understood that the rim may be directly mounted any alternative substantial rigid vertical surface as an alternative to backboard 110 and supporting pole 115.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in rear elevation in FIG. 2, a Y-shaped brace 116 is attached to the rear side of backboard 110. A square shaped plate 118 at the bottom of Y-shape brace is disposed just above the bottom edge 112, with edge 111 denoting the top of the backboard. The square shaped plate portion 118 has four through holes 119 a, b, c and d arrayed to form the corners of a square centered with plate 118, the holes extending through the backboard. Square shaped plate 118 has two additional through holes 119 e that also pass through the backboard. As will be further described with respect to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, Holes 119 e and f are for mounting receiving plate 130 to the front side of backboard 110. Receiving plate 130 includes sidewalls 131 and 131 as well at least a partial upper wall at bar 136 connected to the top of sides 131 and 131′. A lower edge 138 extends from side 131 to 131′, having an inner edge in connect with the lower surface of square vertical face 137.

Thus, referring to FIG. 5A, an elevation at the vertical section that bisects bolts 145 and 155, these bolt in final assembly 100 pass through the quartet of holes arranged in a square pattern in each of square shaped plate 118, receiving plate vertical face 137 and the square vertical face 137 of L-shaped receiving plate 130. Preferably, threads are provided on the inner surfaces of holes 134 a, b, c and d to mate with and secure bolt pair 145 and 155 thereto. Thus, backboard 110 is effectively bonded between 118 and receiving plate 130.

The method of connecting the mated assembly that includes receiving plate 130, L-shaped plate 125 to pole 115 is illustrated by the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3 illustrates the rear portion of backboard 110 at 118. As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 rim 120 is mounted into or nested within the inner boundary of receiving plate 130.

Pole clamps 160 and 160 have a semicircular middle portion to engage the periphery of pole 115 with holes at each end for receiving the threaded shafts of bolt 145 and 155. The pair of longer bolt s 145 passes through the holes in upper pole clamp in FIG. 3, while the shorter pair bolts 155 pass through the hole in the lower pole clamp 160′. Thus when hex nuts 167 are insert on bolt pairs 145 and 155 there tightening urges bolt clamp 160 and 160′ into frictional connection with post 115. Thex nut 167 preferably has a “Nylon” insert which deforms slightly as the hex nuts to more securely connects with shaft s147 and 157 of bolts 145 and 155 respectively. Finally, the end of the shafts of bolts 145 and 155 are cover by the insertion and threading of acorn nuts 168.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional elevations the backboard 120, rim and rim through the center of rim 120 to explain the operative function between the connection of receiving plate 130 to L-shaped plate 125 via bolt pairs 145 and 155. The edge of the rim is preferably welded to connect with the edge of the vertical portions of L-shaped plate 125. L-shaped plate 125 has vertical portion rectangular plate 127 with holes 124 a, b, c and d for receiving shafts 144,154 of bolts 145 and 155 respecfully. Back edge of rim is connected to L-shaped plate by two horizontal members 126 and 126′. Diagonal braces extend in the vertical plane perpendicular to the backboard surface from the edge of the horizontal members 126 to the bottom of rectangular portion 127

Bolts pass through holes 124 in rim L-plate vertical section 127 as well as holes 134 in receiving plate vertical face 137, to pass through backboard 110.

Spring pairs 145 and 155 co-axially disposed about shaft 144 maintain a fixed load between receiving plate and vertical portion of L-plate. Springs 145 and 1146 are preferably disposed with a pair of circular cups illustrated in FIG. 6 and designated 164, each of which has central bore for receiving the bolt shaft. Thus, the assembly connecting the rim to the backboard is made by nesting the L-shapes plate 125 into receiving plate 130. The lower screws are preferably shorter so that they do not extend beyond the height of the adjacent portion of sidewalls 131 and 131′, as illustrated in perspective view from under the rim in FIG. 6

FIG. 5B shows the assembly when the edge of rim is exposed to upward loading. The inner L-plate can rotate within confines of receiving plate in response for force exerted on rim, which cause springs 145 and 155 to compress. Upon release of the deflecting force, the springs urge faces 127 and 137 together, thus restoring L-shaped plate 125 and rim 120 to the proper horizontal position.

Thus, in this preferred embodiment hoop is connected to the rebounding or backboard as the spring that are co-axially disposed with their respective bolts provide a shock absorbing connection. The shock absorbing connection maintains the vertical portion of said L-shaped brace in a nested orientation with respect to the vertical portion of said L-shaped receiving plate whereby the hoop responds to upward and downward vertical displacement by transferring energy to the shock absorbing connector, wherein the absorbing connector then urges said hoop to a substantially horizontal orientation. It should be noted that edge 138 not only aid to limit the movement of face 127, but also to avoid creating a pinch point between surfaces 137 and 127 as springs 156 are compressed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration taken looking upward, that is from below the rim, showing L-plate when rim is affixed to backboard 110. The height of screw heads 47 and 158 can be adjusted to vary the tension on spring to modify the flexibility and energy absorbing capacity of the rim assembly.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A basketball hoop and backboard assembly comprising: a) a vertically disposed rebounding board, b) a substantially circular hoop having an L-shaped brace plate with a portion thereof horizontally extending and another portion extending vertically, wherein the horizontally of the extending portion of said brace plate is disposed in the horizontal plane defined by the hoop, being rigidly connected to an arc of said hoop, c) an L-shaped receiving plate mounted to said rebounding board having a horizontal portion extending outward and a vertical portion extending downward, the vertical portion being connected to said rebounding board, d) wherein said hoop is connected to said rebounding board by via a shock absorbing connector disposed to maintain the vertical portion of said L-shaped brace in a nested orientation with respect to the vertical portion of said L-shaped receiving plate whereby the hoop responds to upward and downward vertical displacement by transferring energy to the shock absorbing connector, wherein the shock absorbing connector then urges said hoop to a substantially horizontal orientation.
 2. A basketball hoop and backboard assembly according to claim 1 that further comprises an elastic energy absorbing member surrounding said rim.
 3. A basketball hoop and backboard assembly according to claim 1 wherein said shock absorbing member is a plurality of springs.
 4. A basketball hoop and backboard assembly according to claim 3 wherein said L-shaped receiving plate has lateral sides for preventing the lateral movement of the L-shaped brace plate of said substantially circular hoop.
 5. A trampoline enclosure system comprising: a) a trampoline having a rebounding surface attached in tension to a a surrounding frame, b) a plurality of vertically-extending legs which support said frame and rebounding surface at an elevation above ground level; c) a plurality of substantially upright support posts attached to the trampoline frame and extending above the rebounding surface, d) a generally cylindrical wall made of a flexible material which is secured to the portions of said plurality of substantially upright support above the rebounding surface to defines a chamber above the rebounding surface, and e) a basketball hoop and backboard assembly attached to the upper end of at least one of said substantially upright support posts, wherein the basketball hoop includes a substantially circular rim horizontally extending into the chamber above said rebounding surface and shock absorbing means disposed between said rim and said backboard assembly.
 6. A trampoline enclosure system according to claim 5 further comprises an elastic energy absorbing member surrounding said rim. 